Minister for Defence Materiel – Media Release – Slouch Hats continue to be made in Australia

12 October 2012

The Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that two Australian companies will continue to manufacture the iconic Australian Slouch Hat for the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force.

Australian companies Akubra Hats Pty Ltd and Mountcastle Pty Ltd have been selected to supply the hats for the next 5 years, under standing offers worth around $2 million per year.

“The Slouch Hat is a national treasure. But you don’t have to go to a museum to see one – they are worn with pride by members of the Australian Defence Force every day,” Mr Clare said.

“Akubra has been making hats in Australia since 1874 and Mountcastle is Australia’s second oldest registered company – it’s been operating here since 1835.”

The Slouch Hat tender sought two suppliers to ensure surety of supply, weighted towards the company with the highest level of Australian industry content.

As the Akubra Slouch Hats have a higher level of Australian content than those made by Mountcastle, Akubra was awarded a majority of the work in this tender.

In December 2011, an exemption was made from the application of the non-discrimination provisions of the then Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines to allow the Commonwealth to mandate that the Slouch Hat is to be made in Australia. This exemption was approved on the basis that the Slouch Hat is a ‘national treasure of historic value’.